THE 2021 GRAND NATIONAL RUNNERS & ODDS
Antepost Runners & Odds
The two-time Grand National winner didn’t get the chance to defend his crown in April but he should be back for another shot in 2021. He briefly left the betting markets following a terrible run at Cheltenham but retirement talks were dismissed and he goes back in as race favourite.
NO: | FORM: 11/52-P | AGE: 10 | WEIGHT: UNKNOWN | JOCKEY: UNKNOWN | TRAINER: G. Elliott
A Cheltenham winner in the Kim Muir over 3m2f, he took his chances at the Irish Grand National last season but unfortunately fell. This season has been a mixed bag, unseating at Leopardstown but was then third last time out over 2m5f. If he can stay the course he has a good chance of placing.
NO: | FORM: -62U31 | AGE: 8 | WEIGHT: UNKNOWN | JOCKEY: UNKNOWN | TRAINER: T. Walsh
Another class runner owned by the Ricci’s, Burrows Saint gave trainer Willie Mullins his first Irish Grand National win in 2019. A recent win at Punchestown also boosted his claims. Will be 8 years old for the 2021 Grand National so a good age to challenge.
NO: | FORM: 11-531 | AGE: 7 | WEIGHT: UNKNOWN | JOCKEY: UNKNOWN | TRAINER: W. Mullins
Moved into the Grand National 2021 betting market when it was announced that he would be moved to trainer Gordon Elliott who has since confirmed that the National is a possible aim for the chaser. Won the RSA Chase in 2018 before stepping up to the Gold Cup in 2019 and 2020, though he didn’t place in either.
NO: | FORM: 8-353F | AGE: 9 | WEIGHT: UNKNOWN | JOCKEY: UNKNOWN | TRAINER: G. Elliott
Trainer O’Neill has always had one eye on the Grand National for Cloth Cap. His chances have significantly improved on the back of his win last time out at Newbury in the Ladbrokes Trophy Chase.
NO: | FORM: 4328-31 | AGE: 8 | WEIGHT: UNKNOWN | JOCKEY: UNKNOWN | TRAINER: J. O’Neill
A win in the Welsh Grand National in January and Secret Reprieve got himself off to a great start in 2021. Despite only being 7-years-old, trainer Evan Williams said he would seriously consider the Grand National but also has one eye on Cheltenham.
NO: | FORM: 22-F11 | AGE: 7 | WEIGHT: UNKNOWN | JOCKEY: UNKNOWN | TRAINER: E. Williams
Winner of the Ultima Handicap Chase at Cheltenham in 2020, it’s easy to see why there are Grand National 2021 odds on The Conditional. It rounded off a very successful season for the 8-year-old and connections will be hoping he can continue his winning ways.
NO: | FORM: 31241 | AGE: 8 | WEIGHT: UNKNOWN | JOCKEY: UNKNOWN | TRAINER: D. Bridgwater
Nearly spoiled the Tiger Roll party in 2019 but had to settle for second place. The only mare to run in the race, she was also trainer Jessica Harrington’s first entry and a delight for those that had backed her each way at staggering odds of 125/1. Was on back-to-back wins last season and still looks great.
NO: | FORM: 2-3118 | AGE: 9 | WEIGHT: UNKNOWN | JOCKEY: UNKNOWN | TRAINER: J Harrington
Beaten by only a neck in the Cheltenham Gold Cup, losing to Al Boum Photo, Santini is a great chaser but I doubt he’ll be heading to Aintree for the 2021 Grand National. It could be the gold cup again.
NO: | FORM: 32-112 | AGE: 8 | WEIGHT: UNKNOWN | JOCKEY: UNKNOWN | TRAINER: N. Henderson
A very interesting 2021 Grand National prospect. Pulled up in the Irish Grand National but has since finished 2nd in the Becher Chase at Aintree before heading to Warwick to win a big race over 3m5f.
NO: | FORM: 35P-21 | AGE: 8 | WEIGHT: UNKNOWN | JOCKEY: UNKNOWN | TRAINER: T. Lacey
Elegant Escape has previously been tipped to run in the National but has never quite made it. Will 2021 be different? Last season wasn’t great and he finished second last in the Gold Cup following his disappointing run at Haydock. That said, he is a great horse and previously won the Welsh National.
NO: | FORM: -236P0 | AGE: 8 | WEIGHT: UNKNOWN | JOCKEY: UNKNOWN | TRAINER: C. Tizzard
A truly great chaser that has won or placed in 17 of his 18 career chase starts. Skipped the last Cheltenham festival and could very well make the Grand National 2021 his aim for this season.
NO: | FORM: 234-11 | AGE: 10 | WEIGHT: UNKNOWN | JOCKEY: UNKNOWN | TRAINER: C. Tizzard
Was so close to winning the Ultima Chase at Cheltenham but was pipped to the post by The Conditional. It was the chaser’s best result of the season and connections will be hoping the momentum continues into 2021.
NO: | FORM: 36652 | AGE: 8 | WEIGHT: UNKNOWN | JOCKEY: UNKNOWN | TRAINER: B. Pauling
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Winner of the Midlands Grand National in March and the Welsh Grand National in December 2019, Potters Corner has stamina in bucket loads. Will need rain and soft ground to bring out the best in him but on the upside, he did win the Virtual Grand National!
NO: | FORM: -5P011 | AGE: 10 | WEIGHT: UNKNOWN | JOCKEY: UNKNOWN | TRAINER: C Williams
Upset the Tiger Roll party at the Cheltenham Festival when he won the Glenfarclas Chase in fine style. A really superb long distance chaser that could seriously contend for the 2021 Grand National.
NO: | FORM: 11111-4 | AGE: 6 | WEIGHT: UNKNOWN | JOCKEY: UNKNOWN | TRAINER: D. Cottin
Always does well around the Grand National fences. Was 4th in 2018 and fifth in 2019 despite being top weight. He was also second in the Gold Cup which he didn’t re-enter in 2020. Hasn’t had the best season so far but his previous experience around the course is definitely a boost.
NO: | FORM: 5-9883 | AGE: 10 | WEIGHT: UNKNOWN | JOCKEY: UNKNOWN | TRAINER: AJ Martin
Lightly chased with only six starts over fences, Aye Right put himself into Grand National 2021 contention when finishing second to Cloth Cap in the Ladbrokes trophy Chase in November.
NO: | FORM: 15-232 | AGE: 7 | WEIGHT: UNKNOWN | JOCKEY: UNKNOWN | TRAINER: H. Graham
Winner of the Many Clouds Chase in December, this could be Lake View Lad’s second shot at the National after he pulled up in 2019. Always popular as one of the few greys to run, can he continue his winning ways in April 2021?
NO: | FORM: P/533-1 | AGE: 10 | WEIGHT: UNKNOWN | JOCKEY: UNKNOWN | TRAINER: N. Alexander
Won the Paddy Power Chase at Leopardstown in December and went straight into the Grand National 2021 betting market. Ran in the RSA Chase last March but unseated his jockey and looks likely to head back there again in 2021, possibly for the Gold Cup.
NO: | FORM: 514U-31 | AGE: 8 | WEIGHT: UNKNOWN | JOCKEY: UNKNOWN | TRAINER: W. Mullins
Was 4th in the Ultima Chase at Cheltenham last season and has been steadily climbing through the chasing ranks. Another good season and he could be one to watch in 2021.
NO: | FORM: 135-14 | AGE: 7 | WEIGHT: UNKNOWN | JOCKEY: UNKNOWN | TRAINER: K. Bailey
Is better known as a hurdler but began his chasing career last season and did well as a novice. Only time will tell if he can step up in class and distance so a lot depends on his prep before the National in 2021.
NO: | FORM: 32-112 | AGE: 9 | WEIGHT: UNKNOWN | JOCKEY: UNKNOWN | TRAINER: G. Elliott
As the winner of the Becher Chase, hopes were high in 2019 and Walk In The Mill didn’t disappoint. Running a great race he finished in 4th place. He has since won another Becher Chase and looks good for the 2021 Grand National.
NO: | FORM: 34-P12 | AGE: 10 | WEIGHT: UNKNOWN | JOCKEY: UNKNOWN | TRAINER: R. Walford
Winner at the Cheltenham Festival in 2019 in the National Hunt Chase over 3m7f. It was also his first attempt at a race of 3m+ so to win it was quite an achievement. Has since run in the Becher Chase at Aintree and finished 5th at Warwick over another lengthy 3m5f.
NO: | FORM: 1-P750 | AGE: 8 | WEIGHT: UNKNOWN | JOCKEY: UNKNOWN | TRAINER: B. Pauling
Has only been chasing for one season but is already showing signs of being very impressive. Won the Kim Muir at the Cheltenham Festival on his first start at more than three miles and won on his return this season at Galway. Elliott definitely has the Grand National 2021 in mind for him.
NO: | FORM: 24221- | AGE: 7 | WEIGHT: UNKNOWN | JOCKEY: UNKNOWN | TRAINER: G. Elliott
An absolute legend of a horse, Bristol De Mai has notched up earnings of more than £700K during his career so far. He has also won or placed in 20 of his 25 chase runs. Even the heavier weight won’t slow him down.
NO: | FORM: 34-229 | AGE: 9 | WEIGHT: UNKNOWN | JOCKEY: UNKNOWN | TRAINER: N Twiston-Davies
Was a hot favourite going into the 2017 Grand National but was pulled-up. Has taken on quite a few graded chases since then and was 4th in the Becher Chase in December 2019. Second place in the Peter Marsh Chase and a win at Kelso boosted his Grand National 2021 claims.
NO: | FORM: -54421 | AGE: 11 | WEIGHT: UNKNOWN | JOCKEY: UNKNOWN | TRAINER: B Ellison
Has only been chasing since May 2019 but in that time has run out six times, winning two and placing in another two so his record is solid. Will need to put the work in this season to make the cut for the 2021 Grand National.
NO: | FORM: 2152F1 | AGE: 10 | WEIGHT: UNKNOWN | JOCKEY: UNKNOWN | TRAINER: G. Elliott
Yala Enki is a fine horse that moved from trainer Venetia Williams to Paul Nicholls. Has had a few Grand National entries but has never actually run in it and instead ran in the Gold Cup last season, finishing in 7th place. Was third in the Welsh National and is usually partnered with Bryony Frost.
NO: | FORM: 7-0313 | AGE: 10 | WEIGHT: UNKNOWN | JOCKEY: UNKNOWN | TRAINER: P. Nicholls
Moved to trainer Willie Mullins in April 2019, having had a racing career in France until then. Has run five times for the new yard but hasn’t been seen since Jan 2020.
NO: | FORM: P5F2- | AGE: 8 | WEIGHT: UNKNOWN | JOCKEY: UNKNOWN | TRAINER: W. Mullins
Won last time out at Ascot is a solid chaser who has notched up five wins from 14 starts over fences. Usually heads to the Cheltenham Festival and undoubtedly will go there again in March. Whether he runs in the 2021 Grand National is another matter entirely.
NO: | FORM: 1P-6U1 | AGE: 8 | WEIGHT: UNKNOWN | JOCKEY: UNKNOWN | TRAINER: C. Tizzard
Ran in the 2019 National but unfortunately fell early in the race. Returned to Aintree for the Becher Chase in December 2019 and finished 11th, a long way off the winner. Improved at Ascot with a win and at 11-years old for the Grand National 2021, could do very well.
NO: | FORM: -11401 | AGE: 10 | WEIGHT: UNKNOWN | JOCKEY: UNKNOWN | TRAINER: N. Twiston-Davies
Has been an excellent chaser in races up to 3 miles, including a 2nd place at Cheltenham and a win last time out in the Sky Bet Handicap Chase at Doncaster. Good ground will suit him best as he’s a speedy horse who needs quick going.
NO: | FORM: 1P-091 | AGE: 10 | WEIGHT: UNKNOWN | JOCKEY: UNKNOWN | TRAINER: N Henderson
There was a lot of buzz around Discorama last season and with another year under his belt, he could be one to watch for the 2021 Grand National. He was third in the Ultima at the Cheltenham Festival in 2020 and if he keeps up his decent form then expect his odds to fall if he gets an entry. He may also head to the Welsh national first so watch this space.
NO: | FORM: 22833- | AGE: 7 | WEIGHT: UNKNOWN | JOCKEY: UNKNOWN | TRAINER: P. Nolan
Shaping up to be a handy chaser with five wins or places from six starts over fences. Still quite young and relatively inexperienced in terms of Grand National contenders but if he has a good prep season, he may get an entry and have a run.
NO: | FORM: 112-2P | AGE: 7 | WEIGHT: UNKNOWN | JOCKEY: UNKNOWN | TRAINER: K. Bailey
Few horses in contention for the 2021 Grand National run as frequently as Cloudy Glen who seems to be out racing every couple of weeks. This is a chaser that definitely loves the soft or heavy going but lacks consistency in his form.
NO: | FORM: O2F6-1 | AGE: 7 | WEIGHT: UNKNOWN | JOCKEY: UNKNOWN | TRAINER: V. Williams
Seen last time out winning the BobbyJo Chase at Fairyhouse in Feb 2020, Acapella Bourgeois has previously been entered into the National but has never run in it. In fact, he’s never run at Aintree. Will the 2021 Grand National be his first time?
NO: | FORM: 00261- | AGE: 10 | WEIGHT: UNKNOWN | JOCKEY: UNKNOWN | TRAINER: W. Mullins
An interesting prospect and one that might get an entry but lacks the long distance chasing experience. A decent record of four wins from seven starts but none of them beyond 3m.
NO: | FORM: 1F4-14 | AGE: 7 | WEIGHT: UNKNOWN | JOCKEY: UNKNOWN | TRAINER: G. Elliott
With 20 wins or places from 27 chase starts, Black Corton is a real gem but one whose season hasn’t started as well as connections would like. He pulled up last time out at Cheltenham and that was after he unseated at Ascot. The 2021 Grand National would be a huge test of his stamina.
NO: | FORM: 42-4UP | AGE: 9 | WEIGHT: UNKNOWN | JOCKEY: UNKNOWN | TRAINER: P. Nicholls
Was second in the Denman Chase in February and started this season with a win at Chepstow. When pushed to 3m2f at Newbury he was well beaten into 11th place, a full 53L behind the winner Cloth Cap. The distance of the Grand National 2021 will be his biggest issue.
NO: | FORM: 202-10 | AGE: 8 | WEIGHT: UNKNOWN | JOCKEY: UNKNOWN | TRAINER: P. Nicholls
Recently moved from trainer Willie Mullins to Sandy Thomson, Yorkhill started off shaky for his new yard when pulling up at Aintree. However, a month later he notched up a win at Newcastle though he will have to really step up in trip to have any chance at the Grand National.
NO: | FORM: 4FP-P1 | AGE: 10 | WEIGHT: UNKNOWN | JOCKEY: UNKNOWN | TRAINER: S. Thomson
Winner of the 2020 Becher Chase, his second from five attempts and has run in the National a remarkable four times, finishing but not placing in all of them. Will the fifth time be the charm in the 2021 Grand National?
NO: | FORM: 997-51 | AGE: 11 | WEIGHT: UNKNOWN | JOCKEY: UNKNOWN | TRAINER: D. Pipe
Sold by the Wylie’s and moved from Willie Mullins to trainer Sandy Thomson in October 2020, Bellshill is a horse that occasionally put in great performances including the Irish Gold Cup in 2019. Hasn’t won since and was in last place at Haydock in November.
NO: | FORM: 4762-5 | AGE: 11 | WEIGHT: UNKNOWN | JOCKEY: UNKNOWN | TRAINER: S. Thomson
Potentially a very good chaser in the making, Copperhead stepped up to the Class One novices last season and did very well winning at Ascot. However, he will be too young and lacks the experience needed to tackle the Grand National fences in 2021.
NO: | FORM: -5111F | AGE: 6 | WEIGHT: UNKNOWN | JOCKEY: UNKNOWN | TRAINER: C. Tizzard
Ran in the National in 2019 and pulled-up but to be fair, he was only 6 years old. Since then he has run mostly over hurdles but won on his seasonal chase debut at Cheltenham in November 2020.
NO: | FORM: 4110-51 | AGE: 8 | WEIGHT: UNKNOWN | JOCKEY: UNKNOWN | TRAINER: D. Pipe
Winner of the Ultima Handicap Chase at Cheltenham in 2019, Beware The Bear could take his chances at the Grand National 2021 but only if the ground doesn’t try up prior to the race. Was 5th last time out in the Ladbrokes Trophy Chase but a long way off the winner Cloth Cap.
NO: | FORM: P/48-5 | AGE: 10 | WEIGHT: UNKNOWN | JOCKEY: UNKNOWN | TRAINER: N. Henderson
Was entered in 2020 but was quite far down the list and unlikely to qualify. However, for 2021, with more chances to improve her rating, connections will be hoping to make it to the starting tape.
NO: | FORM: FP-149 | AGE: 9 | WEIGHT: UNKNOWN | JOCKEY: UNKNOWN | TRAINER: H. Daly
A handy chaser but over the shorter distances. Has never been tested beyond 2m7½f and hasn’t won a race since December 2018. The 2021 Grand National may be too much of an ask.
NO: | FORM: 2520-4 | AGE: 9 | WEIGHT: UNKNOWN | JOCKEY: UNKNOWN | TRAINER: T. Gretton
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We give each horse a rating based on how closely it matches the past trends and statistics of previous winners
Unlikely to mount a serious challenge.
Could place with a slice of luck.
A strong eachway chance and could even win it.
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Every year a maximum of 40 runners line up at the start of the Aintree Grand National and 600 million people worldwide tune in to watch them tackle the 30 notoriously difficult fences in a bid to put themselves into the history books. But how do those particular runners and riders make it to Grand National day?
A horse will be entered into the Grand National if it meets the minimum criteria for qualification and the owner and trainer feel that their horse is capable of handling the race. Not all horses are suited to the long Aintree course or have the necessary jumping ability. Even if a horse gets entered that doesn’t guarantee a place at the starting line as frequently over 100 get entered but there is a maximum field of just 40 for the race.
The race is open to horses aged seven and upwards that have been placed first, second, third or fourth in a chase of three miles or more and who are allotted a rating of at least 125 by the BHA Handicapper.
The entry date for the race is always at the end of January, with the names and numbers announced by the BHA (British Horseracing Authority) the following day. In 2020 there were 105 entries however the race was subsequently cancelled and did not go ahead. 112 were entered in 2019 and in 2018 there were 105 entries. There were 110 entries in 2017, 2016 had 126 entries, an increase of 28 on the 98 entered in 2015.
The BHA Head Of Handicapping then takes the list of entries and frames the weights. In other words, he decides which runners will carry the heaviest weights and which will carry the least. The handicap system is designed to give every horse a fair chance of winning the race, good horses will carry more weight than those perceived to have less ability.
The maximum weight any horse can carry in the Grand National will be 11st 10lbs and the minimum is 10st. Each runner’s weight will be largely determined by their OR (Official Rating) and the higher the rating, the higher the weight. Although the Grand National is the only race in Britain in which the Handicapper can ignoring the official ratings if he wishes, often to the consternation of owners and trainers.
Horses are then put in descending order from the highest to the lowest weighted and that also determines their race number. The top-weighted horse is number one, second heaviest weighted horse is number two and so on.
The weights are then announced, and from then on a series of ‘Declaration Stages’ or ‘Forfeit Stages’ take place. At each of these stages, potential Grand National Runners can be withdrawn from the proceedings by their trainers and as they are removed and the entries get whittled down so even horses that have not initially made the Top 40 may now do so as entries above them are taken out. In 2019 the top weighted horse was Bristol De Mai but he was then withdrawn leaving Anibale Fly to carry 11-10.
The very last declaration stage takes place at 10am on the Thursday immediately before Grand National day. This is the point where the top 40 Grand National runners will be near completion along with four additional reserves.
The following day, Friday, by 1pm any non-runners must be declared and be replaced by one of the four reserves. This is also the point where any horses who were previously allocated weights of less than 10st will have their weight increased to meet requirements.
Three runners were withdrawn at this stage in 2018 and replaced with reserves. However, on the morning of the National two more were taken out due to the heavy ground. This resulted in 38 declared Grand National runners who lined up.
In 2019, no runners were withdrawn at the very final stage and 40 runners ran. Unfortunately in 2020, the race was cancelled and did not go ahead.
There has to be a Top Weight for the Grand National and that runner will always carry 11st 10lbs. For 2020 the honour went to two runners, both trained by Gordon Elliott. They were Delta Work and Tiger Roll.
Both of these terrific runners are owned by Gigginstown and given how highly rated they are, it really was no surprise that the BHA Handicapper saw fit to allocate them 11-10 each.
It didn’t take long for the owners to earmark the Cheltenham Gold Cup for Delta Work with little chance that he would run at Aintree. As such, it came as no surprise that following the first scratching stage, Delta Work was withdrawn. That left Tiger Roll as the only top-weighted runner for the 2020 Grand National.
Tiger Roll then headed to the Cheltenham Festival where he was bidding to win his third consecutive Glenfarclas Chase. The victory was not to be and despite a very impressive run, he was outpaced by the JP McManus owned Easysland and had to settle for second place.
That is where his season ended as the Grand National was then cancelled in 2020. In order to give fans something to cheer about, the Virtual Grand National was then run on the same day. With millions tuning in at home and all betting profits going to NHS Charities, it was deemed a huge success. Though nothing can quite make up for the real thing.
Top weight is a tough ask for any horse. In fact, the last horse to win on top weight was Red Rum. Many Clouds won in 2015 carrying 11-09 so while it’s not an impossible task, it is difficult.
So now we wait for the list of Grand National 2021 entries and whether or not Tiger Roll will return to claim a third crown remains to be seen.
It should come as no surprise that on the back of winning two consecutive Grand Nationals, that Tiger Roll was the Grand National favourite.
He did experience a minor injury early in the season and missed a few of his prep races before heading to the Cheltenham Festival. Bidding for a fifth festival win and a third in the Glenfarclas Chase he went off as joint-favorite with Easysland. The victory was not to be and connections had to settle for second place.
That didn’t dent his odds for the National and he remained the favourite right up to the point when the race was ultimately cancelled in 2020.
Other notable entries that vied for favouritism included Any Second Now from trainer Ted Walsh and Burrows Saint from trainer Willie Mullins. Both gained momentum in the betting markets with odds as low as 12/1.
Grand National 2021 odds will continue to change as the weeks leading up to the race produce good runs from potential runners. As the list of entries gets whittled down, some will get withdrawn while others will boost their claims.
Who will eventually go off as the 2021 Grand National favourite remains to be seen.
The criteria for professional or amateur jockeys wanting to take part in the race are very specific. They must have ridden not less than 15 winners in chases or hurdle races under the Rules of Racing and/or the Rules of the Irish National Hunt Committee and ridden not less than 10 of these winners in chases.
A champion jockey like A.P. McCoy who primarily rode horses for super owner J.P. McManus had his pick of horses in the race before he retired. Top jockey Barry Geraghty is now the retained rider for McManus. The likes of Davy Russell and Richard Johnson are other top jockeys who can often choose their rides and odds will tumble on any horses chosen by the pair.
Amateur jockeys are now a rarity in the Grand National compared with races early days. Sam Waley-Cohen is probably the most famous amateur rider in recent years and he enjoys a record over the Aintree fences which is the envy of many a professional.
Other jockeys will usually ride for the yards that retain them or a trainer will engage their services just for this race. In recent years a number of high profile jockeys have missed the race due to injuries picked up at the Cheltenham festival which is the last major National Hunt meeting before Aintree. In 2018, Ruby Walsh suffered a leg fracture and Leighton Aspell suffered a neck injury that put them out of contention for the Grand National.
Don’t be put off backing a less well-known jockey or even one who has never ridden the course before. In 2013 jockey Ryan Mania won the race at his first attempt. And David Mullins did the same thing on Rule The World in 2016!
In 2018 we saw a number of jockeys making their debut. They included James Bowen, Bryony Frost, Sam Coltherd and Rachael Blackmore. Bryony Frost was the best finisher, getting Milansbar to fifth place.
In the Grand National 2019, Lizzie Kelly made her debut on Tea For Two.
What Are The Odds?
The odds quoted on any horse in the Grand National represent your potential returns if that horse should win. If a horse is quoted as 10/1 then the 10 figure is the amount you’ll get back from the bookie for a 1 unit stake. In other words, bet £1 and you’ll win £10 back. You’ll also get back the original £1 stake, making a total return of £11.
Who Decides The Odds?
The simple answer is the bookmakers. Initially, bookies will offer odds on all the horses running in the National and the bookmaker is aiming to show a profit on the race regardless of the outcome. In many ways the bookmaker doesn’t care who wins, because if he can get the maths right, he will always come out on top. Although this doesn’t always happen over one race.
In a perfect world the spread of bets on the race would guarantee the bookie a nice profit whoever wins. However, if punters keep placing bets on one horse, let us call this horse ‘Plucky Pete’, at a level disproportionate to other runners then the bookie has built up a potential liability. If ‘Plucky Pete’ wins the race the bookie will lose a fortune and they really don’t like losing! To stop this happening the bookmaker has a couple of options. They can offer bigger odds on other runners and simultaneously shorten the odds on ‘Plucky Pete’ in the hope of attracting bets away from the horse with the big liability and onto other runners. This is why you see the odds fluctuating right up until the off.
So the bookmaker sets the odds initially but the volume of money place on any runner will move the odds right up until the race starts.
What’s An Each Way Bet
The ‘Each Way’ bet works like this… Instead of betting on a horse to come 1st you can make a bet that your horse can finish 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th (some bookmakers payout 5th & 6th places) The each way bet is really two bets in one, a £5 each way bet will cost you £10. You’re betting £5 that a horse wins and £5 that he will finish in one of the places.
Sounds like a good deal? And for the Grand National, it can make sense to back a horse each way over a straight win bet, but remember bookies aren’t registered charities. So to compensate for your increased chances of winning they reduce the quoted odds on the place part of the bet. If a horse comes home 1st you’ll still get the full quoted odds. However, should he only place, you’ll only get a quarter of the quoted odds (some bookmaker pay less than a quarter odds).
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